Travis’ Trek Superfly Singlespeed

Trek-sponsored riders will be well represented this weekend in Rotorua, New Zealand for the Singlespeed World Championships. In addition to last year’s winner Ross Schnell, the Wisconsin company has an ace up the sleeve named Travis Brown.

But can Brown, winner of the 1999 and 2002 SSWC, bag his third title?

If the bike we’re seeing is any indication, it could be a close contest. No slouch on the singlespeed himself, Brown takes an opposite approach to Schnell with his bike choice. Rather than a “Rad” Ross full-suspension rig with 26-inch wheels, Brown’s bringing a Superfly 29er. Dealing with a broken wrist for much for most of the late season, the bike assembly became a last-minute project as he was deemed fit to race.

It’s still a sweet machine, built on a 2011 Trek Superfly frame. Although the company makes Superflys with horizontal dropouts for singlespeeders, like defending SSWC winner Heather Irmiger’s rig, Brown’s bike is standard, with vertical dropouts. He’s using an old XTR rear derailleur as a tensioner to accommodate a Rotor 33t front chainring. For now, it’s set up with an 18-tooth rear cog.